7 Sailors Go Missing After Drone Strikes 2 Tankers Near Romania’s Black Sea Coast

In a recent escalation in the Black Sea, two tanker vessels of Russian origin came under drone attacks off Romania’s coast, after which they caught fire. Seven seafarers have gone missing as an investigation into the incident has begun.

Wine Trader and Yara J were sailing from Russia and were targeted in Romania’s territorial waters when the attack happened. The crew members of the former have gone missing, while those on board the Yara J were safely evacuated, according to reports.

After this incident which has raised alarm regarding deteriorating maritime security situation in the region, President of Romania Nicusor Dan said it is unacceptable and has to stop, urging Russia and Ukraine to come to an agreement and end this war.

He then met the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, and Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of NATO, to strengthen their defenses in the Black Sea. The issue would be discussed at the upcoming North Atlantic Council meeting.

Another ship operated by Ukraine, the Chelsea 3, also came under attack, after which all 15 of its crew members were saved, though a few received minor injuries. The vessel’s deck and hull were damaged in the drone strike.

Continuous ship attacks in the region’s waters have led to fears that the Black Sea is becoming another war zone, just like the Strait of Hormuz.

Leaders of the European Union have expressed concern about ship strikes off Bulgaria, which has undertaken a couple of search and rescue operations in the past weeks, though 11 crew of a cargo vessel, HS Dignity, are still missing.

Reports suggest that around 23 seafarers remain missing after attacks on merchant vessels close to the shores of Romania and Bulgaria in the past 10 days. Romania has a 614-kilometre-long border with Ukraine, most of it along the River Danube, which is dotted with many inland ports and harbours.

Due to its proximity to Kyiv, the country has faced many drone incursions into its airspace ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Russia has increased bombing of Ukrainian port facilities and critical infrastructure, which has forced Kyiv to use river facilities along the Danube and routes off Romania and Bulgaria to ship grain, sunflower oil, cosmetics, and other products. This measure has made Romania and Bulgaria vulnerable to attacks.